Friday, October 24, 2014

Review: Mastering Foundation Crochet Stitches with Marty Miller

I have had the pleasure of taking several classes with Marty Miller at various conferences over the past few years. So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review her brand new Craftsy Class: Mastering Foundation Crochet Stiches. I have taken a couple of Craftsy Classes, but until recently there just wasn't much selection for crocheters. So I am excited to see all the New Crochet offerings they have added from great instructors and designers like Marty!
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This class begins with a lesson on extended stitches. You may be wondering why a class on Foundation Stitches starts off talking about the elongated versions of regular crochet stitches, and so did I. But I quickly realized that they are basically the same thing. Although I had done both types of stitches before, I had not realized that the extra chain that makes an extended stitch longer is the same as the beginning chain formed when making your foundation stitches.

Be sure to have yarn and hooks ready to swatch each of the stitches as Marty demonstrates them to get that hands on experience. She repeats each new stitch several times to give you plenty of time to get the hang of it.

Once she shows how to make foundation stitches in each of the basic crochet stitches (single, half double, and double crochet), she goes on to demonstrate how to use these stitches with unusual and hard-to-work-with yarns, then moves in to alternative stitch patterns.

Marty gives TONS of tips and tricks along the way, as she explains the benefits of starting with foundation stitches rather than a beginning chain, and explores alternative ways of using foundation stitches beyond the first row. I had never thought of using foundation stitches to create buttonholes! Marty shows how much better they look than the standard way of making buttonholes by working into a chain space.

Foundation Filet eyelets and Shells

One walks away from any of Marty Miller's classes with so many new techniques and tips that it may be awhile before you have the opportunity to use them all. The great thing about her Craftsy Class is now I can refer back to any of the techniques I learned about in this class whenever I am ready to apply them to a new project, so I don't forget anything. And all from the comfort of my own home! I have to say I am excited to see Craftsy adding so many new crochet classes to their line up over the past year. I am looking forward to checking out many more, and hope to see more from Marty as well! Go check it out today!

About Me

Crochet Designer, Instructor, and Author. Professional member of CGOA and TNNA. My children are my muses, inspiring many of my designs. This blog began with our NICU blanket project, donating in memory of my first daughter. Over time it has become about all things crochet, my designs, and crafting with my kids.
Find me as ReCrochetions on Facebook, Twitter, and Ravelry.